John Lloyd Young Shares His Tony Memories on Broadway.com!
June 2nd, 2010
We’re coming up on the four-year anniversary of JERSEY BOYS’ big night at the Tonys! John Lloyd Young looked back on his winning night for Broadway.com. Here’s a preview:
Q: Who did you think would win your category?
JLY: I had just won three other major awards, so I knew I had a great shot. But my fellow nominees, especially Harry Connick, Jr. [for The Pajama Game] and Michael Cerveris [Sweeney Todd], had me very worried.
Q: What was the first thing that ran through your mind when they said your name?
JLY: I better book it to center stage so that I don’t run out of time to speak.
Q: Did winning a Tony change your life? How?
JLY: I’m still trying to figure that one out.
This brings back such wonderful memories of that whole season, with tons of television appearances in the weeks before – even as the four guys were also doing all 8 performances a week! They were on The Today Show several weeks before-having to arrive at daybreak and then JL did the matinee AND evening show. I was at the matinee that day and although JLY didn’t come out to greet fans understandably, theater staff relayed his offer to autograph Playbills and mail them!!
I remember where I was, when I heard on the radio, JLY’s name in the list of nominees and of course, then the FIRST national tv coverage of the Tony’s, when John Lloyd and Christian won!
I was on 52nd St on Tony day, (to buy tickets before the windfall win) and saw JLY go in the door for the Sunday show. How he kept up that schedule, I have no idea! I can thoroughly understand the tears of exhaustion…and with the White House performance and more ahead, there was no relief in sight.
Thanks for posting this and taking me back to those memories.
Comment by Audrey — June 4, 2010 @ 11:57 am
Thanks Audrey, That was so nice to read ( your comment ) They all worked so hard, just amazing! : ))
Comment by Jody Cardillo — June 4, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
JLY comments that he won three awards, so he thought he had a good chance. True, and he was the Las Vegas odds-on favorite at 4-5. (Harry Connick Jr. was 5-2). But the three awards in the supporting category from those organizations all went to Jim Dale (“The Three Penny Opera”) who was also 4-5 for a Tony. And then “the 2006 Tony goes to” Christian Hoff (who was second choice at 5-2). So no one can be certain.
JLY also knows that he has many fans, and thanks to Linda SooHoo, we’ve been able to meet and “break bread” with him and speak to him without being rushed at a stage door. And he does answer our questions and talks about his experiences openly and honestly.
Comment by Howard — June 5, 2010 @ 12:58 am
Speaking of breaking bread, at our fan gathering in LA Howard stood up and announced he had JLY’s next role and then handed him a dinner roll. I still chuckle when I think about it.
Comment by Linda/Tiggerbelle — June 8, 2010 @ 1:49 am